Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics on Saturday, 17 May 2025 nominated Andris Kulbergs, a member of parliament from the opposition United List party, as prime minister-designate, tasking him with forming a new government in Riga. The move follows the collapse of the three-party ruling coalition and the resignation of outgoing Prime Minister Evika Silina of New Unity.

How the Crisis Unfolded

Rinkevics said he conducted intensive consultations with representatives of all political parties and factions in the Saeima — Latvia's parliament — before arriving at his decision. He concluded that the political moment offered an opportunity to hand government formation to the opposition, citing both recent political dynamics and the need for a fresh approach. The nomination of an opposition figure to lead the next government is an unusual step, reflecting the depth of the current political impasse.

What Kulbergs Must Deliver by 25 May

Rinkevics has set a clear deadline: Kulbergs is expected to report significant progress by 25 May, including a specific coalition outline, the division of responsibilities among prospective partner parties, and a draft government declaration. The tight timeline reflects the urgency of restoring stable governance ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for early October.

Why Silina Resigned

The coalition — comprising New Unity, the Progressives, and the Union of Greens and Farmers — unravelled after a dispute over the defence ministry portfolio. Silina had nominated Colonel Raivis Melnis to replace Andris Spruds, the Progressives' minister who stepped down following a serious security breach: Ukrainian drones crossed into Latvian airspace from Russia and struck an oil storage facility on Latvian territory, according to reports. Silina asked Spruds to resign on 10 May, stating that the defence sector's political leadership had 'failed to fulfil its promise of safe skies over our country.'

When her nominee for defence minister drew resistance within the coalition, Silina announced her own resignation on Thursday. In a pointed statement, she said: 'At this moment, political jealousy and narrow party interests have taken precedence over responsibility. Seeing a strong candidate for the post of defence minister [Colonel Raivis Melnis, whom Silina nominated to replace the resigned Progressives' minister Andris Spruds], political windbags have chosen a crisis — a government crisis. That is why I am announcing my resignation. This is not an easy decision, but it is the right decision in this situation.'

The Broader Stakes

Latvia's political turbulence comes at a sensitive moment for the Baltic nation, which shares a border with Russia and Belarus and has been among the most vocal advocates for robust European defence spending since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. A prolonged government vacuum — with elections only months away — risks slowing defence procurement decisions and complicating Latvia's NATO commitments. The drone incursion that triggered Spruds' resignation has also sharpened public debate about the adequacy of Baltic airspace monitoring. How Kulbergs navigates coalition negotiations in the coming days will determine whether Latvia can restore political stability before the October vote.